This one is a bit complicated to make so I have added images of Tricia-in-progress to help explain how it is done. See gallery below.

Equipment: Wide vase, very tall vase, oasis.

Flowers: none - all foliage this week

Foliage: a selection of faux Christmas foliage. The more sparkly the better. Moss. Cornus branches.

Decorations: baubles, LED lights, hanging decorations, pine cones, snow.

1) Preparing the vases: Place the tall vase in the centre of the smaller vase. Fill the tall vase with baubles and lights. Fill the smaller vase with moss and pieces oasis.

2) Making the “tree trunk”: arrange the cornus branches in a ring around the tall vase to create the “tree trunk”. Trim them level with the tall vase and use the ends to fill out the gaps in the trunk. The pieces of oasis in the small vase should support them. Use either Christmas lights or twine to bring / secure the branches together and place a piece of oasis in the top.

3) Add the “tree top”: use the selection of faux foliage to create the tree top by adding it to the oasis at the top. The best way is to create a palm-like effect with a mixture of things like mistletoe, eucalyptus, ivy, silver leaves, bay branches and any other decorative foliage. Abundant is good in this instance - it is surprising how much foliage can fit into the (comparatively) small piece of oasis.

4) Add the “tree top” decorations: attach some large baubles to the tree top oasis using florists’ wire (like large berries or fruit). Add anything dangly, letting it hang in streams from the branches. Use lots of silver: leaves, fruit, berries to add to the effect.

5) Add the “tree root” decorations: top off the moss in the lower vase with pine cones, seed heads and faux snow. Keep it as natural as you can.

6). Switch on the lights and you are ready for Christmas !

This is quite an OTT arrangement and needs a large space to show it off.

Another simpler way of doing this for outdoor use is to use a tall terracotta pot and cornus branches tied with LED lights to create the trunk. Fill the oasis with more natural fresh foliage: holly, ivy and other winter leaves and berries. It would be weatherproof (the pot must have a drainage hole) and will make a lovely front door Christmas tree.